Stiffened table for a container handling machine

ABSTRACT

Table ( 1 ) for a container handling machine ( 2 ), comprising:. 
         a housing ( 3 ) having an upper panel ( 4 ) and a lower panel ( 5 ) spaced apart,    a plurality of barrels ( 7 ) mounted onto the housing ( 3 ), said barrels ( 7 ) being adapted for receiving functional elements ( 8 ) of said container handling machine ( 2 ),    a network ( 10 ) of stiffeners ( 9 ) mounted in the housing ( 3 ) between the upper panel ( 4 ) and the lower panel ( 5 ), and including stiffeners ( 9 ) interconnecting the barrels ( 7 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of machines for handling containers, such as the type found on bottling lines. The invention can therefore apply to rinsing machines, filling machines, corking or capping machines, labeling machines. This list is, of course, non exhaustive.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Such a machine generally comprises a table laving legs that rest on the floor. It also comprises functional elements such as container transfer wheels, or other devices for handling containers. In the patent, the expression “functional elements” aims at components provided for performing the operations for which the machine is designed. For instance, in a rotary filling machine, a functional element can consist in a carrousel on which filling spouts are mounted. In a rinsing machine, a functional element can consist in a carrousel that loads the containers and carries the rinsing nozzles.

The functional elements are frequently rotary elements, which must be very precisely mounted on the table, so as to perform proper operation of the container handling machine.

In view of the preceding requirements, one technical problem to be solved during the manufacturing of such a table is to insure precise mounting of the barrels with respect of the housing, which barrels are adapted for receiving functional elements of said container handling machine, and to provide sufficient rigidity of the table.

It should also be noted that, in food-related applications for instance, the table must be oxidation-resistant, since the machine cleaning products are somewhat corrosive.

Several attempts have been made to propose tables satisfying those requirements.

In particular, one proposed solution is to cast a one-piece table from stainless steel. Although such a solution is satisfactory in terms of rigidity and resistance to corrosion, provision is required for a thick layer of stainless steel, a material which is expensive, heavy and difficult to machine.

US patent application No. 2003/0075547 to Stocchi discloses a table in the form of a sandwich structure, comprising a housing having an upper panel and a lower panel spaced apart, and a plurality of barrels mounted onto the housing, said barrels being adapted for receiving functional elements of said container handling machine, and further provided with an inner core of injected concrete between the upper and lower panels.

Such a table provides good rigidity and can be produced at somewhat reasonable costs. However, it involves the handling of a concrete material having quick solidification properties, which means that any mistake in the handling of the concrete may affect the mechanical properties of the table. Moreover, such a table is heavy and therefore difficult to move.

Furthermore, the manufacture of such a table requires the use of a production template, in order to insure proper relative position of the components of the table. This makes the table manufacturing method somewhat tiresome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a table for a container handling machine which is lighter and easier to manufacture, while providing good rigidity.

The table according to the invention comprises:

-   -   a housing having an upper panel and a lower panel spaced apart,     -   a plurality of barrels mounted onto the housing, said barrels         being adapted for receiving functional elements of said         container handling machine,     -   a network of stiffeners mounted in the housing between the upper         panel and the lower panel, including stiffeners interconnecting         barrels.

According to other characteristics of the invention:

-   -   said stiffeners interconnecting barrels are welded to the         barrels;     -   said stiffeners interconnecting barrels are welded to the lower         panel;     -   said stiffeners interconnecting barrels are welded to the upper         panel;     -   the table further comprises legs fixed to the housing, and the         network of stiffeners further includes at least one stiffener         interconnecting at least one leg and one barrel;     -   said at least one stiffener interconnecting at least one leg and         one barrel is welded to said at least one leg and at least one         barrel;     -   the table comprises legs fixed to the housing, and the network         of stiffeners further includes at least one stiffener         interconnecting at least one leg to another leg;     -   the at least one stiffener interconnecting at least one leg to         another leg is welded to both legs;     -   said network of stiffeners further includes at least another         stiffener interconnecting one leg or one barrel to another         stiffener;     -   the stiffeners consist of substantially rectangular metallic         plates;     -   the stiffeners are provided with holes therethrough;     -   the barrels consist of hollow cylinders;     -   the lower panel is provided with cut-outs defining strips of         material which link areas for the mounting of the barrels, and         wherein the stiffeners are mounted onto the strips.

The invention is also directed to a container handling machine comprising such a table, and to a method for manufacturing such a table, comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing the lower panel,     -   providing the barrels,     -   mounting the barrels onto the lower panel, at predetermined         respective locations,     -   fixing the barrels to the lower panel,     -   providing the stiffeners,     -   mounting the stiffeners onto the lower panel so as to link the         barrels,     -   fixing the stiffeners to the lower panel and to the barrels,     -   providing the upper panel,     -   mounting the upper panel onto the barrels and the stiffeners,     -   fixing the upper panel to the barrels and the stiffeners.

According to other characteristics:

-   -   the step of fixing the barrels to the lower panel consists of         provisionally welding the barrels to the lower panel;     -   the step of fixing the barrels to the lower panel consists of         spot welding the barrels to the lower panel;     -   the step of fixing the stiffeners to the lower panel and to the         barrels consists of provisionally welding the stiffeners to the         lower panel and to the barrels;     -   the step of fixing the stiffeners to the lower panel consists of         spot welding the stiffeners to the lower panel and to the         barrels;     -   there is provided a further step of permanently welding the         stiffeners to the lower panel;     -   the step of fixing the upper panel to the barrels and the         stiffeners consists of welding the upper panel to the barrels         and to the stiffeners.

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view showing a table according to the invention.

FIG. 2-10 are perspective views showing successive steps of a method for manufacturing the table of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a partially cut-out top plan view of the table of FIG. 1.

At last, FIG. 12 is a cut view of the table of FIG. 11, taken along the XII-XII line, represented along with a functional element of a container handling machine equipped with the table.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A table according to the invention is indicated generally by reference number 1 in the drawings.

In the illustrated example, which is not meant to be restrictive, table 1 forms a supporting structure of a container handling machine 2, partially represented on FIG. 12, such as a filling machine, a rinsing machine, a corking machine, a capping machine, etc.

Table 1 is in the form of a platform which comprises a housing 3 formed of a convex upper panel 4, a flat lower panel 5 spaced apart, and a plurality of legs 6 fixed to the housing 3 and by means of which table 1 rests on the floor. Upper panel 4, lower panel 5 and legs 6 are preferably metallic, e.g. made of stainless steel.

Table 1 also comprises a plurality of barrels 7 (also preferably made of stainless steel) in the form of hollow cylinders, mounted onto the housing 3 and adapted for receiving functional elements 8 of said container handling machine 2, such as a carrousel mounted in rotation around an axis X with respect of the table 1. Such carrousel (not represented) is suitable, for example, for receiving and handling the containers along a predetermined path. On FIG. 12, reference 1 is only directed to the visible components of the handling machine, i.e. the table 1 and the functional elements 8. It shall be understood that the handling machine includes several other components, which are not represented for the sake of simplicity.

As depicted on FIG. 1, table 1 comprises several barrels 7, each suitable for receiving a functional element working in combination with other functional elements mounted onto other barrels, such as carrousels, transfer wheels, and also gears for driving such carrousels and transfer wheels.

As depicted on FIGS. 1 and 12, in order to provide sufficient rigidity, barrels 7 have such a length that they protrude, on the upper side of the table 1, from the upper panel 4 and, on the lower side, from the lower panel 5. It can also be seen on FIG. 1 that the legs 6 also protrude, on the upper side of the table 1, from the upper panel 4.

Table 1 must insure that position of the rotation axis X of the functional elements 8 will be rigidly maintained during operation of the container handling machine 2. Therefore, position of barrels 7, with respect of the housing 3, must be precisely and permanently fixed.

This is one reason why table 1 further comprises a plurality of stiffeners 9 forming a network 10, in the form of substantially rectangular metallic plates, mounted in the housing between the upper panel 4 and the lower panel 5, perpendicular thereto. The network 10 includes stiffeners 9 which connect at least some of the barrels 7 to each other. In a preferred embodiment, all barrels 7 are interconnected by stiffeners 9.

In the depicted example (see FIGS. 7 and 11), the network of stiffeners 9 includes not only stiffeners interconnecting barrels 7 but also at least another stiffener 7 interconnecting at least one barrel 7 and one leg 6. At least another stiffener 7 interconnects one leg 6 and another leg 6. Still at least another stiffener 9 interconnects at least one leg 6 or one barrel 7 to another stiffener 9. The network 10 thereby provides structural strength to the table 1.

Attachment of the barrels 7 and legs 6 to the upper panel 4 and to the lower panel 5 is preferably achieved by welding. As will be disclosed more in details hereafter, each stiffener 9, which is provided with holes 11 therethrough in order to lighten the table 1 (FIG. 12), is also welded to the upper panel 4, to the lower panel 5, and to the pieces it interconnects, i.e. barrel(s) 7, leg(s) 6 or (an)other stiffener(s) 9.

Also in order to lighten the table 1, and to facilitate the mounting thereof—as will be disclosed hereafter—the lower panel 5 is provided with cut-outs 12 together defining strips 13 of material having substantially parallel edges 14, 15 and which link predetermined mounting areas 16 where the barrels 7 are mounted onto the lower panel 5.

As depicted on FIG. 11, each stiffener 9 is mounted onto one strip 13. More precisely, each stiffener 9 extends in a plane substantially perpendicular to the lower panel 5 and substantially parallel to the edges 14, 15 of the corresponding strip 13.

In the disclosed embodiment, the upper panel 4 is comprised of a series of flat plates 4 a, 4 b, 4 c that are such assembled that they form a convex structure. The purpose of this convex shape of the upper panel 4 is to prevent any stagnation of liquid on the table 1.

As depicted on FIG. 12, the stiffeners 9 can have a substantially trapezoidal shape, in order to have an upper edge 17 which follows the convexity of the upper panel 4 and a lower edge 18 which takes the shape of the lower panel 5.

Moreover, the upper panel 4 is bent on its peripheral edge to form a U-shaped gutter 19 all around the table 1, suitable for recovering any liquid spilled on it during operation of the container handling machine 2.

The method for manufacturing the table 1 comprises the following steps:

-   -   providing the lower panel 5 (FIG. 2),     -   providing the barrels 7 and the legs 6,     -   mounting the barrels 7 (FIG. 3, 4) and the legs 6 (FIG. 5) onto         the lower panel 5, at predetermined respective locations, i.e.         in the mounting areas 16 (FIGS. 3, 4, 5),     -   provisionally fixing the barrels 7 and the legs 6 to the lower         panel 5 by means of spot welding,     -   providing the stiffeners 9,     -   mounting the stiffeners 9 onto the lower panel 5 so as to link         the barrels 7, the legs 6 and some stiffeners 9 (FIGS. 6, 7, 8),         as disclosed previously,     -   provisionally fixing the stiffeners 9 to the lower 30 panel 5,         to the barrels 7, to the legs 6 and, for some of them, to each         other, by means of spot welding,     -   providing the plates 4 a, 4 b, 4 c forming the upper panel 4         (which could also be made of a bent one-piece metallic plate),     -   mounting the plates 4 a, 4 b, 4 c onto the barrels 7, the         stiffeners 9 and the legs 6 (FIGS. 9, 10),     -   provisionally fixing the plates 4 a, 4 b, 4 c to the barrels 7,         to the stiffeners 9 and to the legs 6 by means of spot welding.

In order to achieve permanent fixation of the pieces 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 of the table 1, there is provided a further step of seam welding these pieces 4, 5, 6, 7, 9. Such a seam welding is made possible thanks to the cut-outs 12 of the lower panel 5, which allow manual access to the inner space defined by the housing 3 between the upper panel 4 and the lower panel 5, where the welding has to take place. Such a welding operation can be more easily achieved after having returned the table 1 upside down.

Provisionally fixing the different pieces 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 of the table 1 by means of spot welding allows for precise and stressless positioning of the pieces 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 before achieving their final permanent fixation.

Accordingly, there is no more need of a template to ensure precise positioning of the pieces during mounting of the table.

Thanks to the network 10 of stiffeners 9 and to its particular method of manufacture, table 1 is light, strong, rigid, stainless, easy to manufacture, cheap, and allows for precise motion of the functional elements 8 of the container handling machine 2 equipped therewith. 

1. Table for a container handling machine, comprising: a housing having an upper panel and a lower panel spaced apart, a plurality of barrels mounted onto the housing, said barrels being adapted for receiving functional elements of said container handling machine, wherein the table further comprises a network of stiffeners mounted in the housing between the upper panel and the lower panel, said network including stiffeners interconnecting barrels.
 2. Table according to claim 1, wherein said stiffeners interconnecting barrels are welded to the barrels.
 3. Table according to claim 1, wherein the stiffeners are welded to the lower panel.
 4. Table according to claim 1, wherein the stiffeners are welded to the upper panel.
 5. Table according to claim 1, wherein the table further comprises legs fixed to the housing, and wherein the network includes at least one stiffener interconnecting at least one leg and one barrel.
 6. Table according to claim 5, wherein said at least one stiffener interconnecting at least one leg and one barrel is welded to said at least one leg and at least one barrel.
 7. Table according to claim 1, wherein the table comprises legs fixed to the housing, and wherein the network includes at least one stiffener interconnecting at least one leg and another leg.
 8. Table according to claim 7, wherein the at least one stiffener interconnecting at least one leg and another leg is welded to both legs.
 9. Table according to claim 1, further comprising legs fixed to the housing, said network of stiffeners further including at least another stiffener interconnecting one leg or one barrel to another stiffener.
 10. Table according to claim 1, wherein the stiffeners consist of substantially rectangular metallic plates.
 11. Table according to claim 1, wherein the stiffeners are provided with holes therethrough.
 12. Table according to claim 1, wherein each barrel consists of a hollow cylinder.
 13. Table according to claim 1, wherein the lower panel is provided with cut-outs defining strips of material which link mounting areas for the mounting of the barrels, and wherein the stiffeners are mounted onto the strips.
 14. Container handling machine comprising a table according to claim
 1. 15. Method for manufacturing a table according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: providing the lower panel, providing the barrels, mounting the barrels onto the lower panel, at predetermined respective mounting areas, fixing the barrels to the lower panel, providing the stiffeners, mounting the stiffeners onto the lower panel so as to link the barrels, fixing the stiffeners to the lower panel and to the barrels, providing the upper panel, mounting the upper panel onto the barrels and the stiffeners, fixing the upper panel to the barrels and the stiffeners.
 16. Method according to claim 15, wherein the step of fixing the barrels to the lower panel consists of provisionally welding the barrels to the lower panel.
 17. Method according to claim 16, wherein the step of fixing the barrels to the lower panel consists of spot welding the barrels to the lower panel.
 18. Method according to claim 16, comprising a further step of permanently welding the barrels to the lower panel.
 19. Method according to claim 15, wherein the step of fixing the stiffeners to the lower panel and to the barrels consists of provisionally welding the stiffeners to the lower panel and to the barrels.
 20. Method according to claim 19, wherein the step of fixing the stiffeners to the lower panel consists of spot welding the stiffeners to the lower panel and to the barrels.
 21. Method according to claim 19, comprising a further step of permanently welding the stiffeners to the lower panel.
 22. Method according to claim 14, wherein the step of fixing the upper panel to the barrels and to the stiffeners consists of welding the upper panel to the barrels and to the stiffeners. 